Htwe Reh / Kantarawaddy Times
“My only hope is just one, in this education sector. I just want to teach them well, so that they can become good citizens and valuable individuals who can contribute to our country,” said volunteer teacher Maw Nyar Myar, who continues to dedicate herself to her students despite living through one of the toughest times in her life.
Her words reveal the deep compassion, kindness, and hope she carries for her students. Once a developing state and a pleasant region to live, Karenni State is now filled with challenges in every aspect, such as health, education, security, and basic livelihood.
During this period, carrying out duties is an extremely difficult time for 27-year-old volunteers like Maw Nyar Myar.
Since the military coup in 2021, she has been doing everything she can to help ensure a brighter future for the children of her community and her state.
Before the coup, Maw Nyar Myar did not work as a teacher. But after the military takeover, due to the changed situation, she decided to take part in the revolution by taking on a role that she could contribute to.
“I chose to volunteer because children’s education came to a halt after the coup. They could no longer attend school. When there were no teachers to guide them, I decided to step in. People from my village also came to ask for help, and that’s how I think I started teaching,” she said.
Now, she teaches as a high school volunteer in a school located in Deemawso Township, Karenni State. Through her dedication and compassion, several of her students, particularly two batches, have successfully completed their high school education.
However, her journey has not been easy. Having had no formal teacher training before, she faced many challenges in the classroom. Moreover, her entire family is now displaced, struggling with no steady income, which adds further hardship to her life.
“When I feel discouraged, I tell myself that I have to do this for them. If I don’t, who will? They still need me. So, I keep moving forward with that mindset,” she shared.
As the revolution drags on, challenges continue to multiply. Volunteer teachers like her often experience emotional exhaustion and frustration when comparing themselves to others who are better off.
“Mentally, I’ve been very down. There were moments when I wanted to quit. I’m not even officially part of the CDM (Civil Disobedience Movement). Sometimes I just wanted to stop everything. It got to the point where I even felt like putting myself down,” she admitted.
According to Sayar Ba Nyar, Deputy Secretary (2) of the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State, there are currently over 4,000 education workers, including CDM and volunteer teachers, working to ensure children’s education continues despite the conflict. Though the exact number of volunteer teachers is unclear, they make up more than half of all current educators.
This demonstrates how vital volunteer teachers are in maintaining the interim education system.
Moreover, the IEC officially recognizes the contributions of these teachers. Sayar Ba Nyar stated that once the revolution succeeds, there are plans to formally support and train volunteer teachers who wish to continue their careers.
“When the revolution succeeds, we have plans for these volunteers. Those who want to keep teaching will be given training at higher education institutes, and after completing that, they will be able to serve as official teachers. Certainly, there is at least that minimum plan,” he explained.
Currently, there are over 500 schools operating in Karenni State. Maw Nyar Myar believes that with mutual respect, cooperation, and understanding between CDM and volunteer teachers, these schools can continue nurturing the next generation and pave the way for a brighter future.
“Since we’re all doing the same work, I believe mutual respect is essential. It keeps volunteer teachers like us motivated. We must help and support each other. Otherwise, it’ll be hard for this volunteer system to last,” said Maw Nyar Myar.
